Teen suspect in Calgary's latest homicide makes first court appearance (2024)

As his mother sat teary-eyed in the back row of the courtroom a Calgary teen made his first appearance Monday in youth court.

Defence counsel Sam Taylor appeared as agent for lawyer Rebecca Snukal, who has not yet been retained, to ask the case be adjourned two and a half weeks.

Taylor told youth court Justice Gary Cornfield that he spoke to the accused and expects he will be bringing Snukal on to represent him.

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“He does intend to retain Ms. Snukal,” Taylor said.

Cornfield also formally read the accused’s right to elect trial in youth court before a judge sitting alone, or in Court of King’s Bench, either with or without a jury.

“I don’t expect an answer today as he’s in the process of retaining counsel,” Cornfield said.

The Calgary Court of Justice judge asked Taylor whether Snukal will be applying for the accused to be released on bail when the case is back in court near the end of the month.

Taylor said that if Snukal is retained by then and is ready to proceed a release application may be made at that time.

The 17-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing last Thursday of Dean Visser, 16.

Police released Visser’s name on Sunday following an autopsy and after receiving parental consent.

Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, a youth victim of a crime allegedly committed by a minor can’t be identified. But one exception to that is if the victim is deceased and parental consent to identify him is given.

Unconfirmed rumours suggest the fatal stabbing may have involved a dispute over a hoodie.

The accused, who appeared in court via closed-circuit TV from the Calgary Young Offender Centre, did not address court.

His mother, who attended with another female, briefly spoke to Taylor outside the courtroom after the matter was adjourned.

KMartin@postmedia.com

X: @KMartinCourts

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